Handbag



Jar 1. 19, 1937. E. NAGEL 2,068,507

HANDBAG Filed Sept. 1, 1936 ATTORNEY.

PatCntQd Jane UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to devices such as portable receptacles, and has particular reference to handbags having reversible means for changing the appearance thereof.

One object of the invention is to provide a handbag having improved reversible means which can be manipulated without the necessity for opening the bag and possibly spilling the contents thereof.

This object has particular significance where the reversible means is permanently connected to the bag, or where the bag includes a closure of the cover or flap type.

Another object. of the invention is to pro- 15 vide, especially in a reversible handbag, the

added improved feature of an extra pocket which may be a compartment concealed by the reversible means.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a bag having a plurality of main pockets diiferentlyequipped as for ordinary and evening wear, in any improved arrangement so that a particular one of the pockets shall be available according as the bag is reversed for 5 ordinary or evening wear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reversible type bag having cover means to close the mouth thereof, where both finished faces of the cover means shall not be accessible for handling and possible soiling in opening'and closing the bag.

structurally, it is an object of the invention to provide a bag having a reversible pocket cover or body member permanently swingably connected thereto, and which shall not depend upon a tab connection or the like at the mouth of the bag, but which shall rather have a direct continuous connection to the bag at the mouth thereof to avoid distortion when the bag, as is 40 frequently the case, is held and supported by the pocket cover in the open position of the bag. Another object of the invention is to avoid the necessity for using any special or reversible lock or hardware for securing the permanently mounted part in different positions of reversal. More specially, the invention aims to provide a plurality of simple handles which are adapted to directly afford means for holding the reversible part in either position; according to another aspect, the invention includes a bottom foldable tab adapted to neatly hold the reversible part in either position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds. v

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists in the novel combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an isometric perspective diagrammatic view showing a device embodying the invention, in the closed position thereof, and looking at the rear face thereof.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the device but looking at the front thereof, and with a cover portion for the bag in open position.

Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation of the device, with one side or pocket closed, but the device being otherwise spread open to clearly show the arrangement thereof.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the device in a position similar to that of- Fig. 3, but with opposite portions symmetrically disposed.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 6 and '7 are views in side elevation of the device in extended position and each showing a different face of the device to indicate the difference in appearance.

The advantages ,of the invention as here out- 0 lined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will'be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring'in detail to the drawing, l0 denotes a portable receptacle; such as an envelope bag, embody ng the invention. This handbag includes a bag H having a longitudinal partition l2 between the side walls l3, l4 thereof, and dividing the bag into the upward opening pockets 0 l5, IS. The side walls and the partition are of course interconnected by means of gussets l1 extending along the bottom and ends of the bag up to the openings I8 of the pockets, so that both 50 parts may be equally expandible, if desired. Connected to'the bottom of the bag is an elongated member l9 such as a tab, which may be secured into the gussets or directly, to the partition I2, so as to depend downward and to be 55 foldable toward either side of the bag for a purpose hereinafter described.

The partition 12 may include a portion 23 which may extend upward above the mouth of the pockets, throughout the length of the bag. This portion 20 is received and connected between the plies of material 2 I 22, which form a. body or flap portion 23. The plies 2!, 22 have their respective lower portions 24, 25 separate of each other, and may otherwise be interconnected with each other throughout, and with the portion 20 from end to end of the bag. The portions 24, 25 extend downward from a point above the pocket openings l8, each being adapted to act as a cover or closure for its adjoining pocket opening. Since the cover portions 24, 25 lie at opposite sides of the partition l2, the structure may be symmetrical throughout, and is such as to enable the body or flap portion to be folded downward to lie along either side of the bag H, and in overlying relation to one of the cover portions 24, 25, without undue wrinkling or distortion of material, because one fold portion is always accommodated above the bag opening as indicated at 28.

Connected to the body or flap portion 23 at opposite sides thereof are the handles 21, 28, which extend in central transverse relation to the free edge of the body portion, these handles consisting of strips of pliable material connected to the body portion 23 by stitching at 29, 33. The handles are of course alined with each other and begin at a point spaced above the bag opening, the stitching at 29 serving to reenforcingly interengage the handles, the plies 2|, 22 and the partition l2. The handles may terminate in free ended tab portions 3|, 32 disposed at opposite sides of the body portion 23 and projecting toward the free edge thereof. Each of these tabs may have a head stud 33 of a releasable snap fastener engaged to the inner face thereof, so that either tab may be connected to the tab l9 by snapping a head 33 into the eyelet 34 of the tab 59 from either face thereof. The cover portions 24, 25 may be separately individually se cured closed as by heads 35 on the cover portions releasably engageable with the sockets 36 on the side walls l3, I4 of the bag H.

To obtain a bag of different appearance, according as the element 23 is at one or an opposite side of the bag, the side walls I3 and I4 of the latter consist of materials of different finish, for example, the former is colored white and the wall I4 is colored gold. In that case, the plies 2|, 22 are colored respectively white and gold; likewise the handles 21, 28, and of course, the tabs 3!, 32 are colored respectively white and gold. Likewise, the tab 19 may consist of two plies of material, 31, 38, colored respectively white and gold. Hence the bag will appear gold colored if assembled with the body portion 23 at the left of the bag, and white if at the right of the bag. Opposite sides, portions and sections of the handbag may be wholly symmetrical for inexpensive manufacture.

With the handbag in the position shown in Fig. 5, the pocket !6 is the secret pocket, and may be elaborately arranged for evening wear. This pocket is closed by its cover 25, and the latter is covered against soiling by the body portion 23. The tab 19 is engaged-with the tab .3! to hold the body portion 23, and the handle 2? is available for usual use, whereas the gold colored handle 28 is concealed against soiling. The pocket 15, equipped for ordinary wear, is

instantly accessible on opening the cover portion 24. If thus opened up, as shown in Fig. 2, a person may hold the bag at the flap or cover 24 in the usual manner, while manipulating the contents of the pocket. The pull on the cover is transmitted uniformly to the bag H to prevent distortion or tearing because of the direct continuous connection with the bag along the partition l2. A neat inside appearance is obtained. Also, the part 28 acts as an internal reenforcement to prevent buckling and distortion in folding the body portion 23 to lie at either side.

If it be desired to reverse the bag, the body portion 23 may be swung to either side without opening either cover portion 24, or 25, so that spilling of the contents of the pockets is avoided. If access to the concealed pocket be desired, the body or flap portion 23 may be opened upward, and the concealed pocket opened, without disturbing the other pocket, as suggested in Fig. 3. No special locking hardware is required, the locking device consisting of tabs easily accessible at a side of the bag, and the handles affording a reenforcement for the tabs 3|, 32, with the latter and the handles being simultaneously applied.

The invention is also applicable to a mailing envelope, since if one cover 24 or 25 be destroyed or torn in opening the envelope, the portion 23 may be used as a closure and may contain on ward to the bottom of the bag on either side of the latter, said body portion including two plies of material providing a different finish for different faces of the body portion, said plies being separated from each other adjacent to the par tition to provide separate cover portions for the different pockets, and the bag having opposite sides thereof of different finish similar to the finish of the complemental sides of the body portion to provide a handbag of different .appearance according as the body portion is at one side or another of the bag, whereby each of said cover portions is directly uniformly sup portingly secured to the bag, with one of the cover portions being protectively covered by the body portion and closing. its corresponding pocket to provide a secret compartment.

2. A handbag including a bag having a partition dividing the same into a plurality of pockets, said partition having a portion extending upward above the mouths of the pockets, a two ply flap element having the plies thereof separate of each other at one end portion of the element to afford cover portions for the individual pockets, and said plies being otherwise interconnected with each other, the upward extending portion of the partition being connected to said element between the plies thereof and at a point above the pockets, said element being foldable downward from a point above the pockets so as to lie at either side of the bag, the said plies and the opposite sides of the bag having surfaces so different from each other as to present a handbag of different the newly exposed side any appropriate indicia therefrom and being foldable externally downappearance according as the element lies at one side or another of the bag.

3. A handbag including a bag having a partition dividing the same into a plurality of upward opening pockets, a flap element consisting of a plurality of plies and connected to the partition so as to be externally foldable downward upon either side of the bag, to the bottom thereof, said plies terminating at the lower portion of the flap element in separate cover elements at opposite sides of the partition for the individual pockets, releasable locking means for the individual cover elements, and a member connected to the bottom of the bag and foldable toward either side of the bag, said flap element and said member having means for releasable interengagement to hold the flap element at either side of the bag, the said plies consisting of materials of different finish, and the bag having opposite sides thereof of correspondingly different materials to provide a bag of different appearance according as the flap element is at one side or another of the bag.

4. A handbag including a bag having a partition dividing the same into a plurality of pockets, said partition having a portion extending upward above the mouths of the pockets, a two ply flap element having the plies thereof separate of each other at one end portion of the element to afford cover portions for the individual pockets, and said plies being otherwise interconnected with each other, the upward extending portion of the partition being connected to said element between the plies thereof and at a point above the pockets, said element being foldable downward from a point above the pockets so as to lie at either side of the bag, the said plies and the opposite sides of the bag having surfaces so different from each other as to present a handbag of different appearance according as the element lies at one side or another of the bag, means for individually releasably locking the cover portions closed, and other locking means for releasably holding the flap element at either side ofthe bag, whereby the flap element can be manipulated without opening the pockets.

5. A handbag including a bag having a partition to provide a plurality of upward opening pockets therein, said bag having a body portion connected to the partition and extending upward therefrom and being foldable externally downward to the bottom of the bag on either side of the latter, said body portion including two plies of material providing a different finish for different faces of the body portion, said plies being separated from each other adjacent to the partition to provide separate cover portions for the different pockets, and the bag having opposite sides thereof of different finish similar to the finish of the complemental sides of the body portion to provide a handbag of different appearance according as the body portion is at one side or another of the bag, whereby each of said cover portions is directly supportingly secured to the bag, means individually releasably locking the cover portions closed, and other locking means for holding the body portion at either side of the bag.

6. A handbag including a bag having a partition to provide a plurality of upward opening pockets therein, said bag having a body portion connected to the partition and extending upward therefrom and being foldable externally downward to the bottom of the bag on either side of the latter, said body portion including two plies of material providing a different finish for different faces of the body portion, said plies being separated from each other adjacent to the partition to provide separate cover portions for the different pockets, and the bag having opposite sides thereof of different finish similar to the finish of the complemental sides of the body portion to provide a handbag of different appearance according as the body portion is at one side or another of the bag, whereby each of said cover portions is directly supportingly secured to the bag, handles secured to opposite faces of the body portion so as to terminate in free ended tabs at the bottom of the bag, and a member connected to the bottom of he bag and foldable toward either side thereof, said member and each of said tabs having releasable interengaging means to hold the body portion at either side of the bag.

'7. A handbag including a bag having a partition dividing the same to provide upward opening pockets, a flap element connected to the partition in upward extending relation thereto, said flap element having downward extending cover elements for the pocketopenings, said flap element being downwardly foldable to lie at either side of the bag substantially to the bottom thereof.

8. A handbag including a bag, a two ply flap element connected thereto at the mouth of the bag so as to be foldable downward to lie at either side of the bag, said plies including portions free of each other at said mouth and projecting downward over opposite sides of the bag to provide cover portions for said mouth, whereby either side of the bag may be concealed by the flap element and access had to the bag by opening either cover portion.

9. A handbag including a bag, a two ply flap element connected thereto at the mouth of the bag so as to be foldable downward to lie at either side of the bag, said plies including portions free of each other at said mouth and projecting downward over opposite sides of the bag to provide cover portions for said mouth, said plies and opposite side walls of the bag consisting of materials of different finish to produce a bag of different appearance according as the flap element is at one side or another of the bag.

10. A handbag including a bag, a two ply flap element cbnnected thereto at the mouth of the bag so as to be foldable downward to lie at either side of the bag, said plies including portions free of each other at said mouth and projecting downward over opposite sides of the bag to provide cover portions for said mouth, said plies and opposite side walls of the bag consisting of materials of different finish to produce a bag of different appearance according as the flap element is at one side or another of the bag, and handles for opposite sides of the flap element, said handles terminating in engagement portions, and a member connected to the bottom of the bag and foldable toward either side thereof for releasable connection with either tab according as the flap element lies at one side or another of the bag.

11. A handbag including a bag, a two ply flap element connected thereto at the mouth of the bag so as to be foldable downward to lie at either side of the bag, said plies including portions free of each other at said mouth and projecting downward over opposite sides of the bag to provide cover portions for said mouth, said. plies and opposite side walls of the bag consisting of materials of difierent finish to produce a bag of different appearance according as the flap element is at one side or another of the bag, and handles on opposite sides of the flap element, said handles having individual engagement means, and the bag having a member releasably engageable with either. engagement 10 means and. so as to be covered by the latter.

12. A handbag including a bag, a reversible 

